Malawian missing child found after 16 years

Malawi Police in Nkhotakota are looking for an unknown family believed to be in Ntchisi to reunite with their child who got missing 16 years ago.

Richard: Found after missing

Richard Alberto Antonio (22) who went missing at the age of six surrendered himself to the Police Thursday so that they help him trace his parents.

Richard explained in an interview that he had been living in Nampula, Mozambique with a herbalist, late Alberto Antonio and his wife until 2014 when he learnt that they were not his biological parents.

“Alberto told me that he stole me from Chipwatu Village, Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota where he was a traditional healer in 2000 saying he stole me because he had no child and wanted to have me for himself.

“He told me that he found chance to grab me when I followed my mother when she was on her way to sell firewood,” explained Richard.

He said once he meets with his parents, he will go to Mozambique to bid farewell to late Antonio’s relatives and resettle in Malawi.

Public Relations Officer for Nkhotakota Police Williams Kaponda said investigations have revealed a number of occupants in Chipwatu Village recall the incident.

“The village head confirmed the event happened around the same year. He told us that the village mourned the child as they considered him dead,” said the PRO.

However, according to Police Richard’s real family relocated to Ntchisi district, his mother’s home, soon after the death of their second child as they thought they were being bewitched. His father is from Ntcheu district.

Currently the village head has shown police and Richard an abandoned piece of land which belonged to Richard’s parents.

“It is unfortunate that no one remembers the names of the family members but we have hope we will find the family through a certain woman who says she knows where this family lives,” said Kaponda.

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2 thoughts on “Malawian missing child found after 16 years”

A touching story, to be sure.
In this era, DNA test to the rescue. Not that we should be doubting the young man’s story; but if only to ascertain the facts. This is 2016, abale.
The state should pay for the test. If the state refuses, then shame them. Donors would step in and donate funds for such tests. Wishing the young man luck, nothing less.